Invisible teeth aligners are plastic trays that fit around your teeth and are worn to move them into their proper place. Unlike braces, invisible aligners don’t contain any brackets or metal wires, and are hardly noticeable to the public eye. Typically, a series of aligners are worn and interchanged every 2-3 weeks to get the desired results. Depending on the severity of the case, a treatment can last from a couple weeks to a couple months. Many people prefer to use invisible aligners because they are easy to clean, are less noticeable, and don’t cause as much discomfort to gums and cheeks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is invisible aligner?
How do your invisible aligners work?
Most invisible teeth aligners require you to go to your orthodontist or doctor on a regular basis. However, with SmileCode, you can do it at home. Here’s how our invisible aligners work:
1) We begin by determining if you are a good candidate by asking you a few simple questions. This gives our dental experts a good idea of what you want your finished smile to look like.
2) Once you are given the go ahead, you can order an impression kit. We’ll send you all the materials you’ll need to make your own teeth impressions right at home. Follow our instructions to make four impressions, and send them with a prepaid shipping label back to SmileCode.
3) Our orthodontists will evaluate the molds, and send you what your teeth will look like after the process is complete. Once approved, a treatment schedule will be mapped out, and you’ll know exactly how long you’ll have to wear your invisible teeth aligners.
4) SmileCode will directly mail you your custom invisible teeth aligners to wear. You’ll change to a new aligner about every two weeks. Wear them for the proposed time to get the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!
*For more information, read our How it Works page.
Are your aligners BPA free?
Absolutely.
How long do I have to wear the aligners?
It’s up to your current teeth condition. Each treatment is customized to one’s individual needs. You might only have to wear them for a couple months or up to a year. The average treatment time is about 6 months.
Can I wear SmileCode aligners if I have a missing tooth?
Yes, no problem.
Can I get an aligner for just my top or bottom teeth instead of both?
It all depends on your teeth condition. We still need impressions for both the top and the bottom teeth. Our Dental Team needs both to ensure that your bite is aligned well at the end of your treatment. Otherwise you may have occlusion issue if you only do either top or bottoms teeth.
What if I lose an aligner?
You can just put in your next aligner and make sure you wear it for the rest of the time that you would have had left with your missing aligner, as well as the full two weeks after that.
What is an impression kit?
An impression kit is what we send you in order to get molds of your teeth and to create your treatment. They include 6 putty, 4 trays (2 for top teeth and 2 for bottom). We also include instructions for photos and making a good impression, cheek stretchers, and a prepaid shipping label to slap back on the box and drop off at the post office.
What is a Treatment Preview?
A Treatment Preview is a digital rendition of what your teeth currently look like as well as what they will look like at the end of your treatment. If you like the look of your future smile, you can go ahead and order your aligners. If you don’t, you can cancel your order for all of your money back.
Is this type of treatment process safe?
For sure it is safe. Our aligner treatment is FDA approved and is prescribed and overseen by board-certified orthodontists. We do recommend seeing your dentist before starting the SmileCode treatment to make sure there aren’t any pre-existing conditions that may cause complications during the treatment process.
How often should I change my aligners?
If you’re wearing your aligners 18 hours per day, you should change them every two weeks. If you leave them out for a prolonged period of time, we suggest that you go back to your best fitting aligners and wear them for two weeks and proceed with the process as usual. We suggest setting a repeat reminder on your phone for every two weeks so that you don’t forget to change them.
Does SmileCode aligner sit straight across my gums?
Unlike other aligners in the industry, our aligners are trimmed to your gum line in a scalloped fashion so that they don’t rest on your gums. Not only is this less irritable, it’s also less visible so your aligners are truly invisible.
Am I a good fit for SmileCode?
There's only one way to find out. If you complete our checkup at homepage. We will let you know if you’re a good fit.
How long does it take to get my aligners?
As long as there aren’t any unforeseen delays or extenuating circumstances, you should receive your aligners about 4 weeks after ordering your impression kit.
Can I speed up the aligner process?
No, you can’t. Your treatment is designed to shift teeth at set intervals of time and it’s crucial to allow each step to take its prescribed two-week course before moving on to the next one. Trying to speed through the process can adversely affect the health of your teeth and gums and the healing of the periodontal ligaments surrounding your teeth.
